Sikhism & Astronautics
Astronomy has led to the discovery of billions of galaxies in our universe each of which probably have planets and solar systems like our own. The Sikh Holy scripture mentions that there are an uncountable amount of planets, solar systems and galaxies in our universe.
“The planets, solar systems and galaxies, created and arranged by Your Hand, sing.” SGGSJ page 6
“There are planets, solar systems and galaxies. If one speaks of them, there is no limit, no end. There are worlds upon worlds of His Creation. As He commands, so they exist.” SGGSJ page 8
“So many worlds beyond this world-so very many!” SGGSJ page 3
“He established the many worlds and skies.” SGGSJ page 184
“I have searched and searched, across so many worlds, but without the Name, there is no peace.” SGGSJ page 255
“Among all lights, I behold Your Form; all the worlds are Your Maya.” SGGSJ page 351
“Many millions are the fields of creation and the galaxies” SGGSJ page 276
“True are Your worlds, True are Your solar Systems.” SGGSJ page 463
Moons
Giordano Bruno was the first person to have stated that the moon was one of the planetoids like our own earth. Galileo later supported this theory in 1610. The theory contradicted the current religious ideas about the universe held at that time and therefore even intellectuals (like the Professor of Philosophy at the University of Padua) declined to look through Galileo’s telescope and stuck to their deep-held beliefs. In 1665 Newton once again talked about the moon and its gravitational pull. It was only in the 20th century that our ideas about the moon underwent a sea change when on 21 July 1969 Neil armstrong and Edwin Arnold actually set foot on the moon.
Scientists have now discovered at least 60 other known moons in addition to ours. Saturn has at least 20 going round it. The Earth and Pluto each have one moon. The fact that there are innumerable moons and suns was mentioned by Guru Nanak in the 16th century when he said,
“There are many Indras, moons and suns and many other worlds and galaxies” SGGSJ Page 7
“Many millions are the moons, suns and stars.” SGGSJ Page 275
“Millions of moons twinkle in the sky.” SGGSJ Page 1162
Life on other planets
Science has not yet been able to either prove or disprove the existence of life on other planets. However, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji teaches that there are an uncountable amount of planets with many forms of life on them including human forms of life who also worship the primal being.
“In the realm of karma, the Word is Power. No one else dwells there, except the warriors of great power, the spiritual heroes. They are totally fulfilled, imbued with the Lord's Essence. Myriads of Sitas are there, cool and calm in their majestic glory. Their beauty cannot be described. Neither death nor deception comes to those, within whose minds the Lord abides. The devotees of many worlds dwell there.” SGGSJ page 8
“There are beings and creatures in the water and on the land, in the worlds and universes, form upon form.” SGGSJ page 466
Motion of Sun and Moon
Nothing is static in the universe, stars, planets, meteors, satellites, all move at speeds varying from a few kilometres per second to hundreds of kilometres per second. The Sun revolves around the Milky Way on an almost circular orbit with a speed of about 220km/s. The Sun completes one revolution in about 230 million years. The Milky Way also moves - we are moving towards our nearest neighbour the Andromeda galaxy and both the Milky Way and Andromeda (which make up most of what we call the 'Local Group of galaxies') are moving towards the Virgo Cluster which is our nearest cluster of galaxies.
The Guru Granth Sahib also says:
“The sun and the moon obey His laws. They move billions of miles and never stop.” SGGSJ page 464
